Oven Baked BBQ Tacos

Taco shells meet pizza toppings in these BBQ chicken fusion snacks - a tasty mashup that fits in your hand. The sweet-tangy BBQ chicken sits perfectly in crunchy taco shells with gooey cheese and all your fave pizza add-ons, creating a flavor explosion that'll make you wonder why nobody tried this combo before.

I whipped these up last week when I couldn't pick between making tacos or pizza for dinner. My hubby spotted what was happening in the kitchen and actually called me a genius - trust me, that doesn't happen much! Even better, the kids ate everything without whining once, which counts as a total win in my house.

Tasty Ingredient Lineup

• Firm taco shells work as the crunchy base that holds all the pizza stuff - grab the ones that won't tip over when filled
• BBQ sauce delivers that sweet-tangy flavor punch that makes this combo sing - go for one with smoky notes
• Pulled chicken absorbs all the yummy sauce - grabbing a rotisserie chicken cuts your prep time way down
• Mozzarella brings that stretchy, melty goodness everyone wants - shred it yourself for better melting
• Red onions cut through the rich flavors with a light bite - slice them super thin so they cook just right

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Simple Cooking Steps

Mix Your Chicken

Mix your shredded chicken with BBQ sauce until everything's nicely coated. You'll want each chicken bit covered but not drowning in sauce. I always start with a little sauce and add more as I go - you can always put more in but can't take it out.

Prep Your Shells

Stand your taco shells up on a baking sheet so they don't fall over. This part matters! First thing, throw a good layer of cheese right into the bottom of each shell. This isn't just tasty - it creates a cheese barrier that keeps your shells from getting soft. I found this trick by mistake and now I won't make them any other way.

Add Your Filling

Drop that BBQ chicken mix into each shell, but don't stuff them too full. Keep some space at the top for your extra goodies. Push the filling in gently - if you press too hard, you might break your shells.

Top It Off

Add your fave pizza toppings next - I always go for thin red onion slices and sometimes toss in some peppers or mushrooms if they're in my fridge. Finish with another big handful of cheese on top. That top layer of cheese gets all bubbly and holds everything in place.

Bake Till Perfect

Pop the whole tray into your hot oven and let it do its thing. The cheese gets all melty, the shell edges turn extra crispy, and everything comes together. Watch them near the end - when the cheese starts getting golden spots, they're done and ready to enjoy.

I've made these countless times now, but my top version uses a special bourbon BBQ sauce my sister's husband makes. The touch of sweetness with hints of bourbon flavor works wonders with the chicken. Whenever he visits from down south, I always beg for a jar just for making these tacos.

Great Side Dishes

These loaded tacos stand on their own, but a basic green salad with tangy dressing balances out the richness. During summer, I pair them with buttery corn on the cob sprinkled with chili powder. In winter, some cinnamon-dusted roasted sweet potatoes go amazingly well with the BBQ flavors. Sometimes I just throw together some quick-pickled red cabbage for a bright crunch that cuts through the richness.

Try These Variations

Try using alfredo sauce instead of BBQ and add some spinach for a creamy white pizza version that really works. My veggie-loving sister swaps the chicken for BBQ-coated roasted cauliflower and loves it. For a spicy switch, dump the BBQ sauce and use buffalo sauce with blue cheese sprinkles instead of mozzarella. When my boy's football team won their big game, they wolfed down three full batches of these in no time flat.

Storage Tips

If you somehow don't eat them all, store any extras in your fridge for a couple days max. Don't nuke them - they'll get soggy. Instead, warm them in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes to bring back the crunch. If you're making them ahead, keep all the parts separate until you're ready to bake - that'll keep your shells much crispier.

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Smart Cooking Tricks

• Throw your empty taco shells in the oven for 2 minutes before filling them - they'll stay crunchier longer
• Shred your chicken while it's still hot - it comes apart way easier and soaks up more flavor
• Wait a minute or two after baking before digging in - nobody wants a burned mouth from super hot cheese (I found this out the hard way!)

When I first told my husband's mom about these, she looked at me like I was crazy - she's old school about both Italian and Mexican cooking. But after she tried one, she actually asked how to make them. Now when the grandkids visit, she makes what she calls her "special tacos" and they think she created them. I've never told them otherwise and probably won't. Some kitchen tricks are better kept quiet!

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I use soft tortillas instead of crunchy shells?

Absolutely! To make soft tortillas crispy, brush them lightly with oil and hang them over the bars of your oven rack. Bake at 375°F for about 7-8 minutes until they're crisp, then fill and finish baking.

→ What meat alternatives work well here?

You can totally mix it up! Try ground beef, shredded pork, or spicy chorizo. If you're looking for a vegetarian option, black beans, tofu crumbles, or plant-based meat work great with BBQ sauce and the toppings.

→ Can I prep ahead for this meal?

Yes, the BBQ chicken filling can be prepared up to 48 hours ahead and refrigerated. To keep the tacos crunchy, put everything together and bake right before serving. Or assemble a few hours early, refrigerate, then bake.

→ Why is cheese placed first in the shell?

A cheese layer on the bottom keeps the shell from getting soggy. As it melts, it acts like a buffer between the juicy toppings and the crisp taco shell, helping it stay crunchy.

→ What are good sides for these tacos?

They’re filling on their own but go great with a fresh salad, corn on the cob, or Mexican rice. If you want something heartier, serve them with black bean soup or creamy refried beans.